Insect Borne Viruses Experts Say To Watch Out For

We are all familiar with the Zika virus and Lyme disease, but experts have recently found some lesser known viruses that they are suggesting people watch out for in the near future, as they could possibly become a problem, especially due to the increased amount of travel going on. These illnesses may be rather obscure, but as we have seen with the Zika virus, anything could become the next worldwide epidemic if we’re not careful.

Mayaro is a virus that the Aedes aegypti mosquito can transmit to humans through their bite. The disease is actually almost indistinguishable from chikungunya, another mosquito-borne virus that has boomed in recent years, with symptoms like chills, rash, fever, and joint pain that can last for over a year. In recent years the virus has turned up in urban areas, meaning it could definitely end up spreading farther just as chikungunya did.

Another illness you want to watch out for is the Rift Valley virus. Usually this means you will just have to deal with a fever and some chills. However, some cases can develop into a hemorrhagic disease, with abnormal bleeding and possible inflammation of the brain. When it crosses into this territory there is no treatment and the chance of death is fifty percent. It used to be secluded to Africa, but has spread in recent years.

Do you think that these insect-borne diseases could spread to the U.S. in the near future?